Page 70 of Pistols and Plush Toys

Elliot blinked rapidly to avoid tears. “Thank you.”

“I…” Nikolai let out a breath. “I will let you rest now. You’re needing anything, come to me, okay? Even late at night. My room is at end of hall.”

Elliot couldn’t imagine going to Nikolai's personal space and bothering him, but he nodded.

“Good,” Nikolai said. He took a step back, toward the door. “Goodnight, Elliot.”

“Goodnight,” Elliot said.

Nikolai gave him one last nod and left the room, closing the door quietly behind him.

Elliot clicked off the lamp and shuffled down into the covers, Apricot in his arms and the plush comforter wrapped around him.

Then he burrowed his face into Apricot’s fur to muffle his sobs.

Chapter 14: Nikolai

Vitale was gone.

Not only into hiding, but out of the fuckingcountry.He’d been spotted at a private airfield, and tracking said the plane had gone to Italy.

Because that was Nikolai's luck.

Nikolai growled, flicking through his texts and emails. Gerard had been patched up and had then stubbornly made rounds at their stores to assure everyone that everything was okay. His last update had been over an hour ago, telling Nikolai he was going to go to bed, and not to wake him unless all hell had broken loose.

Even if it did, Nikolai wasn’t going to wake Gerard. He’d done more than enough, and Nikolai could pull some of the weight now. He’d slept like the dead, and was ready to handle whatever the day held.

First priority was to go over hispeople. Comb through any recent hires to make sure there were no more rats.

Several emails in, he got a text from Meredith.

Meredith:Not sure how serious you were about that 2AM request, but I have someone out running it now. It’ll be delivered with a fresh phone in an hour.

Meredith:What’re you doing for breakfast?

Nikolai:Very serious. Also, would you take Elliot shopping? He needs things.

Nikolai:I haven’t decided on breakfast.

Meredith:Is he staying at your house?

Nikolai:This is most secure place for him.

Meredith:You hate sharing your space.

Meredith:Half the time you’re kicking me out.

Nikolai:Vitale hurt him.

Nikolai didn’t want to speak on Elliot’s condition, but Meredith read between the lines anyway.

Meredith:Does he need a doctor?

Nikolai:I will let you know.

He thought about it, then added in a new text.

Nikolai:order many pastries.

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